Australian shares closed lower on Tuesday after fresh data showed China's import growth slumped in June, heightening concerns about the slowdown in the world's second-largest economy. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index lost 0.5 percent, or 20.27 points, to finish at 4,098.0. New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index fell 0.44 points to close at 3,464.72.
Major miners led the falls, with BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto both losing around 0.8 percent.
The four major banks also weighed down the market, with National Australia Bank down 0.5 percent, ANZ dropping 0.7 percent, Commonwealth Bank falling 0.6 percent and Westpac losing 0.2 percent. Defensively-postured telecoms, utilities and healthcare sectors were among the best performers. Shares in Telstra Corp were heavily traded, rising 0.8 percent, while Primary Health Care added 2.3 percent.
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